Saturday 6 February 2010

The Secret Diary - Day 9

Tuesday, 29th October

0600 On the road. We quizzed Stuart last night about the best way out of Bosnia. According to the map there are four routes, but one has a blown bridge. The most convenient for us would take us north through Banja Luka, but to get through there one must have a UN blue card and that takes a fortnight to come through. Can't stay here that long, so that leaves Kamensko, where we came in, and another just beyond Bihac. Bihac will be better, so off through Travnik and Donji Vakuf once more. In Donji Vakuf all traffic has been halted while an IFOR tank convoy crosses the bailey bridge over the river. It's market day, but all they have for sale are sacks of cabbages. Chance to buy bread and put the kettle on. Pass round Mr Kipling fruit pies. Katy decides to save hers for later. After nearly an hour the road is opened again.

1200 Bihac. Looks a complicated town and the army signs are not easy to spot. We send the camper on to find the way through.

1215 Off we go - it's not as bad as we expected.

1245 Border with Croatia - no problems as we are running empty but glad we didn't try to come in this way. The border post is very primitive and there is a long queue of lorries, 30-40 or so, waiting to reach customs to get into Bosnia.

1300 Stop for lunch and discover that Bill has fruit pie all over his trousers.

1705 Croatia/Slovenia border near Krapina. Long queue of lorries which we reluctantly join. Brian eventually decides to pull the camper out of the lorry queue and move up to the border, but misjudges the distance between the camper and Katy's lorry. Tips the wing mirror, but no other damage, so carries on. Starts to rain heavily. In customs bay, Katy needs to reverse to get clear, doesn't see van which has parked behind her. Crunch. No evidence of damage, so doesn't stop.

1830 Left border.

1840 Still raining hard. Arrived night stop - hotel, restaurant and filling station. Book rooms for the evening. Hot showers, real hot showers, the first for days. But problems. Driver of van Katy hit has followed us and claims there is substantial damage, calls police as we dispute this. Police arrive and call out owner of nearby Peugeot garage (van is a Peugeot) who estimates cost of repairs at DM4000. Police and other driver happy to forget it if we hand over cash. Otherwise, Katy taken off to police station in Ptui, about 8-9 miles away, for statements. So, off to Ptui. Roy and Katy arrive back just as restaurant closes, but they agree to get meals. Katy due in court tomorrow morning.

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